David Gurion: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine District 15 School Board Age: 38Family: Wife- Beccy Gurion Daughter- Grace Gurion, 8 Daughter- Kate Gurion, 6Occupation: Sales ManagerEducation: Attended Palatine High School and completed some courses at Harper College.Civic involvement: Volunteer Football Coach at Fremd High school Volunteer Football Coach at Palatine Amateur Football Association School District 15 PTA VolunteerElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?We have an excellent staff of administrators and teachers that do a great job preparing students for the next stage in their lives. I am satisfied with the preparation that my children, and other students, receive. I also think there are always opportunities to improve upon the district's focus and initiatives.Rate District 15's financial position. Forecasts show the district won't see a surplus until 2016-2017. Do you agree with using reserves to pay for budget deficits?I believe the current administration does a good job managing budgets which enables the board to make informed decisions for the future of the district. With the current building projects beginning and continuing for the foreseeable future, paired with reductions in federal funding, I think it is critical to put added focus on financial performance. I do support using reserves to pay for budget deficits; however it will require the board to continue to be diligent and creative in balancing the budget for the long term benefit of the district.Architects identified nearly $156 million in capital projects needed at District 15 schools in the recent state-mandated audit. The board allocated $4.6 million this year, more than the usual $3 million a year. Do you agree with this approach or want something different?I agree with this approach. It is the School Board's responsibility to review and prioritize the projects identified by the audit. I believe they, along with the superintendent, have done that and I trust that the projects they've scheduled for this year are necessary to ensure the safety of the students and staff. These projects are still in the early stages and there needs to be a continued, strong focus on each one in order to determine the best course of action. Safety, efficient and well run buildings, and fiscal responsibility should be our main focus.Are all the elementary schools in District 15 treated equally, in your opinion? Explain why or why not, or where you think discrepancies lie.Each school in the district has the same curriculum, with excellent teachers and staff. It would be extremely difficult to treat every aspect of each school the same as there are many variables that contribute to the operation and performance. There are opportunities to make changes that would assist in improving performance. One example of an opportunity for improvement would be to provide students more focus on a specific area of educational interest regardless of school alignment or boundaries.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?No. I did work as a Program Assistant in the District for 4 years from 1997-2000.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Provide the proper resources to ensure students receive the best education and community experience. Instill long term stability in the district's educational and economic performance. Stay in tune with the district's demographic profile in order to provide more opportunities for social development. Unify efforts of community, teachers and administration to ensure a clear, consistent mission.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bill Gates for his drive, success, and generosity.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I was fortunate to have excellent role models in my parents. Being respectful, kind and standing up for your beliefs were great lessons learned.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have finished college instead of rushing into the professional world. Luckily, that's a do-over I can still make good on.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved history in school. Learning about those who came before us makes me appreciate where I am from and what I have.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I hope my children learn the same things I did from my parents; respect, kindness and standing up for what you believe in.